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The Responsibility

An unfinished temperance parable about a habitual drunkard who challenges a friend to share the moral responsibility if he drinks and falls into ruin — the page cuts off before the friend's reply.

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Burlington Weekly Free Press · February 25, 1876 · Page 1

1 min read
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A young man had been sadly intemperate. He was a man of great capacity, fascination and power; but he had a passion for brandy which nothing could control. Often, in his walks, a friend remonstrated with him, but in vain; as often, in turn, would he in vain urge his friend to take the social glass. On one occasion, the latter agreed to yield to him; and, as they walked up to the bar together, the bar-keeper said: "Gentlemen, what will you have?" "Wine, sir," was the reply. The glasses were filled, and the two friends stood ready to pledge each other in renewed and eternal friendship, when he paused, and said to his intemperate friend: "Now if I drink this glass, and become a drunkard, will you take the responsibility?" The drunkard looked at him with se—

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